Article Tools

This year’s Fiesta celebration—still four months away—has been rent by heated controversy after dance judges hired by Old Spanish Days declared 12-year-old flamenco dancer Sadee Broida this year’s Junior Spirit even though Old Spanish Days rules only allow applicants between the ages of 9 and 11. The rules also clearly bar anyone older than 11 or living out of town from competing. Broida also lives in Ojai with her parents, and Old Spanish Days rules explicitly restrict entry to Santa Barbara County residents. “We’re going to very diligently gather up all the information we can,” said Old Spanish Days spokesperson Kathryn McKee, “and then make the best decision we can.”

McKee acknowledged that the issue has become intensely heated among the Santa Barbara flamenco dance community for whom Fiesta functions as the equivalent of the high holy days. McKee said Broida and another dancer were allowed to compete in the Junior Spirit pre-auditions despite their ages—both were 12—because Old Spanish Days sent out some publicity information that erroneously stated dancers as old as 12 could enter. (The other over-age dancer backed out before the final audition that took place last Saturday at La Cumbre Junior High School.)

As for the county residency requirement, McKee said the rules are quite clear. The Broidas reportedly spend their summers in Santa Barbara, and it remains to be seen how persuasive that might be. To date, no lawsuits have been threatened, but the Broidas have reportedly hired an attorney.

More like this story

Comments

It would be good to see the documents. Are age requirements stated correctly in some paperwork but not on a PR release, or is the age of 12 consistently the upper limit? Has it been so in the past? If so, then teachers and regular participants in OSD would know the established rules, typos or not. If it's 11 on registration forms, etc., case closed. The bigger deal is the residency issue. Coming to town for Fiesta season while living the rest of the year in Ojai makes sense climate-wise, but isn't the same as living and voting in SB County. If that's listed as one of the requirements, case closed and the Broidas should drop it and find their daughter another way to perform. Maybe OSD could create a special feature event for her if the mess is partly the organizers' fault.

Somebody at OSD really needs to step down or be removed. Who made the errors in the brochure? Who allowed the bad judgments to continue? Why wasn't this addressed before it culminated in a fire storm on Sunday?

And age aside, she also has to RESIDE IN SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. She allegedly lives in Ojai, which is in Ventura the last I checked.Two violations.The girl's parents and dance teacher clearly knew the age and residence of the girl. OSD is validating cheaters and hopefully sponsors and/or the City of Santa Barbara will pull their funds.

Sounds like there is insider politics and corruption taking place within OSD, or at least that is the appearance. Someone, or the entire event group, really needs to be removed in order to save face and restore credibility.

The results are in and there will be TWO Jr. Spirits this year. I am happy for the little girl who was cheated. Jesalyn is a great kid who deserves the title ALONE. But i understand the decision to not strip Sadee of her sash. Congrats to Jesalyn AND LETS NOT FORGET, SABRINA IBARRA, who saldy has been overshadowed by this mess. I hope the parents have learned something from all this AND the little girls teacher PALOMA RIOS has learned something as well. Time to move on and celebrate all the winners.

So, who goofed, I've got to know? The resolution was announced but nothing about the member(s) who put this on and whom messed it up. The Jr. Spirit broke two rules - age and out of County residency. Fiesta let this happen and came to an easy compromise that showed very little integrity. Still someone(s) needs to step down for such an egregious array of errors: wrong age on invite, processing of application, lag-time on resolution, bungled announcement, etc. It appears that there is insider politics going on that isn't fair to the participants nor the community.

Presidente should step down but that won't happen. At the very least, the people who put on this event and who made these mistakes should be let go in an effort to restore the public's confidence. If not, I surely hope sponsors and even the city of SB pulls funds. If you're not cheating, you're not trying is the message from fiesta.

I do not agree with green112 "Time to move on and celebrate all the winners."

What does this teach the young girl who does not follow the rules - age limit and residency? Acknowledging that she does not meet the requirements and politely withdrawing is the only correct thing to do.

And her parents will hopefully learn something from this experience as well.